What Kind of Glue Should I Use on Horse Blankets?

Regardless of the manufacturer's claims that its turnout blanket is indestructible, there's a horse out there just waiting to refute that idea. Even the sturdiest, most expensive blanket can't seem to stand up against a horse that wants to do one in. Since these blankets can be very expensive, repairing one is always cheaper than purchasing a new one.

  1. Repairs of Small Tears

    • If your nylon horse blanket has just a small tear or snag in it, glue may not be needed at all. Since nylon will melt, simply washing the blanket, laying it flat on the ground or floor, then using a cigarette lighter flame to melt the edges of the tear together is probably the best way to take care of the problem.

    Patches

    • Larger tears, especially those that go through only one layer of the blanket, can usually be repaired with iron-on patches. While these patches are usually meant for repairs of jeans or canvaslike materials, they will work very well on horse blankets made of nylon, too. Once again the blanket should be washed thoroughly and allowed to dry before you try to add the patch. Be sure the patch extends beyond the tear by at least an inch.

    Repair Kits

    • Some blanket manufacturers, such as Rambo, actually make repair kits for them. However, these kits can be used on any brand of turnout blanket made primarily of nylon. As a rule, these kits contain several nylon swatches in various colors along with an adhesive of some sort. Step-by-step instructions are provided for quick and easy repairs.

    Glues

    • While there are several brands of glue on the market, look for one that will repair such items as rubber boots, wading pools, tents and other similar items. Since your horse will not always keep its blanket smooth and flat, look for a glue that's also flexible when it dries. Stormsure is perhaps one of the best known of these adhesives and appears to have one of the best reputations. Regardless of the brand you finally decide on, be sure to follow all directions and let the adhesive dry thoroughly before putting the blanket back on the horse.